From the Florida Department of Environmental Protection:

COASTAL PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.– The Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Coastal Management Program is accepting applications for the Coastal Partnership Initiative (CPI) grant program. The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration makes these funds available on a competitive basis to eligible local governments.

The CPI grant program promotes the protection and effective management of Florida's coastal resources at the local level. CPI grants provide support for innovative local coastal management projects in four program areas: Resilient Communities, Public Access, Working Waterfronts and Coastal Stewardship.

Florida's public colleges and universities, regional planning councils, national estuary programs and nonprofit groups may also apply for a CPI grant if an eligible local government agrees to participate as a partner. Eligible local governments are defined as Florida's 35 coastal counties and all municipalities within their boundaries.

Eligible entities may apply for grants for community projects for habitat restoration, park planning and improvements, waterfront revitalization and improving communities' resiliency to coastal hazards. CPI grant financial awards are limited to a maximum $30,000 and a minimum $10,000 for construction projects, habitat restoration, invasive, exotic plant removal or land acquisition, and a maximum $15,000 and a minimum $10,000 for planning, design and coordination activities. Grant recipients are required to provide 100 percent (1 to 1) matching funds, which may be cash or in-kind.

CPI grant applications are accepted in hard-copy format only and must be received no later than 4 p.m. on Oct. 30, 2015. For details, funding eligibility and to apply, please see the CPI Application Form and read Rule 62S-4, Florida Administrative Code. Contact staff in the FCMP Grants Section at 850-245-2094 with questions on submitting a CPI grant application.